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Review on Recycling of Microplastics in Cigarette Butts
Summary
This review examined the problem of cigarette butt waste, noting that cellulose acetate filters take approximately 10 years to degrade and represent a globally pervasive source of microplastic pollution. The authors surveyed recycling approaches for cigarette butts including fiber recovery and use in construction materials.
Abstract It’s a lesser-known fact that the cigarette filter is made of cellulose acetate, a kind of non-biodegradable plastic and it takes almost 10 years for this ingredient to completely decompose. Cigarette smoking is on the rise throughout the world. Ever since tobacco smoking began there are both opponents and proponents for the same. Instead of getting into a discussion as to whether one should smoke or not; would like to focus on cigarette butts which a micro plastic that is harmful to the environment and needs to be disposed of in an appropriate manner to conserve the environment and human health. As the trend is today, cigarette smoking is on the increase. And in light of this event recycling cigarette butts give rise to a sustainable material. This paper will cover how cigarette butts can be collected and recycled to tackle the unfriendly and unsightly remains of cigarettes after smoking.
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